maodonald



Apr. 10, 1923;-

- H F. J. ,M DONALD' 7 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR' FORMING STRAPS AND FPLYING THE SAME TO ARTICLES Filed June 9, 1921- e sheets-sheet 1 [wenlor I E JMacfionaZa Apr. 1,1923.

F. J. MECDONALD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING STRAPS AND APPLYING THE SAME T0 ARTICLES Filed June 9 6 sheets-sheet 2 Apr. 10, 1923. v 1,451,167

F. J, M DONALD- 7 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING STRAPS AND API LYING THE SAME TO ARTICLES Filed June 9, 1921 MM?- EJM Donald;

6 sheets-sheet 5 j Apr. 10,1923; :f I v I 451,167.,

' I F. ,1. M QDONALD' I Mm'fiob AND APP RATUS FORIFORVMING' STRAPS A ND APPLYING THE SAME TO ARTICLES; 7

Fired June 9,1921 I .asne cs-shees 4 )111 :9

' .Apr.10,1923. v 1,451,167

7 F. J. .M DoNALD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING STRAPS AND APPLYING THYEJSAME TO ARTICLES I Filed June 9, 1921' 6 sheets-sheet 5 100 J: 106 10: l By Apr. 10, 1923. I F. J. M DONALD I METHODAND APPARATUS FOR FORMING STRAPS AND APPLYING THE SAME TO ARTICLES Filed June 9', 1921 6 sheets-sheet 6 Patented Apr. 10, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFMZE.

FRANK J. MACDONALD. OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR- TO THE B. F. GOODRICH COMPANY,

OF NEW YORK, N. '55., A. COEFORATION OF NEW' YORK.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING STRAPS AND APPLYING THE SAME TO ARTICLES.

Application filed June 9,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. MAoDoNALn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Method and Apparatus for Forming Straps and Applying the Same to Articles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the art of forming straps or tabs and applying them to or assembling them in interlinked relation with other articles.

Its object is to provide an improved method and automatic apparatus which will result in greater speed, economy and uniformity of product.

The apparatus described herein is adapted to cut tabs from rubberized fabric and interlink the same with shoe fastening mem bers for use in the manufacture of rubber footwear. It comprises, in the order of the progress of the work:

1. A mounting for a rolled strip of the fabric. 7

2. A. die-cutter for successively stamping the fabric to form a chain or string of tapered tab units as the fabric strip is drawn forward.

Folding and pressing devices adapted to fold the side margins of each unit over to the center line of the strip and adhesively press said margins against the body of the strip to give each unit a plaited, tapered structure.

4-. Mechanism for intermittently drawing the chain of tab units forward through the devices just mentioned and severing the foremost tab-unit or strap from the chain.

5. Means for holding the buckle-member in position to' be threaded by the foremost tab-unit or strap as the chain of straps is advanced.

6. Means for folding and pressing the severed strap adhesively upon itself in linked relation with the buckle-member.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front-side elevation of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the diecutter and fabric-folder.

1921. Serial No. 476,335

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on line 00a2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

F 1g. 5 is a perspective view of the tonguemember and strap in their final relation Fig. 6 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 4:.

Fig. 6 is a section on line 1 of Fig. 4 of a rack and pinion mechanism for turning the buckle-member holder.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the fabricfolder in opened position.

Fig. 8 is a view from the delivery end of the machine of a work-holding and releasing mechanism. In

Fig. 9 is a cross-section of a tongue-memberholding and strap-folding mechanism in positlon for receiving the tongue-member.

Fig. 10 is a front view of a. part of the work-advancing and cutting mechanism and the tongue-member-holding and strap-folding mechanism, showing the tongue-member and strap in threading position.

Fig. 11 is a front View of the tongiiie member-holding and strap-folding mechanism showing the strap-folding operation.

Fig. 12 is a similar view, partly in section, showing a keeper or ladder holder substituted for the tongue-me1nber-holder. and

keeper-member and strap in threading posit-ion.

Fig. 13 is a front view of the same showing the strap-folding operation.

Fig. 14- is a perspective view of the keepermember and strap in their final relation.

Fig. 15 is a front-face view of a cam wheel adapted to actuate certain parts of the machine.

Fig. 16 is a. view, partly in section, from the delivery end of the machine, of. a reciprocating, work-advancing and cutting mechanism, in return position, with the work in place.

Fig. 17 is a similar view showing the parts in advancing position.

Fig. 18 is a similar view showing the parts in. severing position.

19 is a front elevation showin a modification.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary rear View of the same.

Fig. 21 is a cross-section showing a mothtied form of die-cutting mechanism.

General description. Referring at first to Figs. 1 to 18, the preferred embodiment there shown comprises a base upon which are mounted standards 11, 12 (Fig. 1) supporting horizontally a long plate or beam 13 set in a vertical plane, said standards and beam constituting a mounting for a die-cutter A, a folding'device B, a pressing device C, work-advancing and cutting mechanism D'and buckle-memher-holding and strap-folding devices E. At the anterior end of the machine is aturntable F for giving off the rubberized fabric strip, designated 14. At the back of the machine Figs. 1, 4t, 6 and 15) is a large cam wheel by which the principal parts of the machine are actuated, said' cam wheel being journaled in a standard 15 mounted upon the base 10 and provided with a drive pulley 16 (Fig. 4).

Buckle-holding and strap-folding mach autism.

The devices for holding the bucklemem her in position to be threaded by the foremost strap as the latter is advanced and severed comprise, with regard to the tonguememb'er, a segmental wheel 17 (Figs. 1, l, 9, 10 and 11) having a flat side in which is formed a depression or recess 18 of such shape as snugly to receive the tongue memher or unit 19 of a shoe-buckle with the eye thereof exposed at the outer periphery of the wheel, as clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Said wheel is secured to the front end of a shaft 20 journaled in a bearing member 21 secured to the beam 13 at the delivery end of the machine and said shaft is so connected with the cam wheel G by a mechanism hereinafter described as to give the wheel 17 a counter-clockwise, intermittent, rotary movement so that it stops successively in the receiving position shown in Fig. 9 and the threading position shown in Fig. 10. 22 is an arm pivoted to the beam 13 at 23, backed by a spring 24 and provided with a roller 25 adapted to run on the wheel 17. and with a plate 26 at its end adapted to bear against the buckle when the roller 25 passes from the convex face of the wheel 17 to hold the buckle-member secure in its recess in threadingposition. 22 is a stop bolt adapted to prevent undue displacement of the arm 22 when the wheel 17 is removed for the substitution of a modified form of wheel hereinafter described.

Assuming the strap 27 to be threaded through the eye of the tongue-member and severed, the succeeding rotation. ofthe wheel 17 from the threading position of Fig. 10 to the receiving position of Fig. 9 draws the threaded strap downward, with the. tonguemember, between said wheel and the plate 26, folding or looping the strap and pressing the first part thereof adhesively upon itself, the pressure of the plate upon the exposed outer end of the tongue-member unseating the latter from its recess. The strap is ad ditionally pressed between the roller 25 and the convex surface of the wheel 17 as the latter reaches said roller and from the time the roller thus comes into operation the plate 26 is held slightly away from the wheel 17 as shown in Fig. 11, and as the last end of the strap 27 passes the roller 25 the work drops into any convenient receptacle (not shown).

Keeper-Adder.

A modified form of segmental wheel 17 adapted for holding a ladder or keepermember of the buckle instead of a tonguemember is shown in Figs. 12 and The wheel'is formed with a notch or recess having a convex wall 28 adapted to receive the concave side of a keeper 29, with the eye thereof exposed beyond said wall at the outer periphery of the wheel, and a concave wall 30 upon which the otherend of the keeper seats, the latter wall being curved about a center located substantially at the junction of the first mentioned wall with the periphery of the wheel, so that although the keeper may not be fitted snugly against the convex wall 28 the eye thereof nevertheless will lie at the desired point slightly beyond the periphery of the wheel.

31 is a latcl1finger pivoted in a recess Formed in the body of the wheel 17 with its free end extending from the convex wall of the keeper-holding notch as shown in Fig. 12, or from the periphery of the wheel adjacent to said notch as shown in Fig. 13, as said finger turns upon its pivot.

32. (Fig. 12) are stop pins adapted to limit the turning of said latchfinger upon its pivot, and a spring 34 is provided to draw the finger toward the bottom of the keeper-holding notch. Said finger is thus adapted to engage one of the holes in the keeper and to press the keeper lengthwise thereof against the concave wall 30, to hold it in the notch as the wheel is turned from receiving position to threading position.

As the wheel. is subsequently turned through the folding part of its revolution the finger is forced by the plate 26 against the stop 32, the foot of the keeper leaving the concave wall 30, and the finger continues to engage the keeper, drawing it and the strap past the plate 26 and the'roller 25 to fold and press the strap upon itself as above described with regard to the tongue-member. The finger 31 withdraws from the keeperas the wheel is further rotated and thus snaps back against thestop 33, the freely rotating roller 25 now co-operatingfwith the convex surface of the wheel 17 to draw the work while the plate 26 is held slightly away from the wheel .17, reducing its tendency to retard the work, by contact of the roller 25 with itle work on said wheel, as shown clearly in Die-cutting mechanism.

The preferred instrumentalities shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 for cutting the straightsided strip of stock to form a chain of tapered strap units comprises a die 35, Figs. 2 and 4, of the form there shown, having opposed cutting notches 36, 36 at one end, and cutting edges 37, 37 converging from said notches toward the delivery end of the machine. Said die is mounted upon a die-holding bridge 38 secured to the beam 13 by a clamping member 39, which latter also secures a pair of vertical guide-posts 40, 40 and is adapted to be adjusted lengthwise of said beam in order that the die-cutting mechanism, all of which is carried by said clamping member, will be at the proper distance from the buckle-holding wheel 17, measured in strap units. This is desirable in order that each strap may be given the same position in its buckle notwithstanding variations in the stretchability of different stock.

41 is a vertically reciprocating platen or saddle curved about the beam 13, slidably mounted above and below said beam upon the edges of said notches.

guide-posts 40, 40 and adapted to be actuated from the cam wheel Gr through a lever 42 adjustably connected with the, lower part of said saddle, as shown clearly in Fig. 6. 43 is a vertically adjustable block formed with a stud 44 mounted in a sl0t45 in the lever 42. 46 is a spring backed plunger adapted to support the opposite end of said lever between strokes and to insure the re-entrance of its cam roller 47 into the cam groove 48.

Referring to Figs. 1., 2 and 3, the upper head of the platen 41 is provided below with a block 49 on the vertical sides of which are yieldingly mounted knives 50, 50 by means of dowel pins 51, 51 and screws 52, 52 surrounded by springs (not shown). The cutting edges of said knives slant downward toward the delivery end of the machine, and the knives are thus adapted to perform a progressive shearing action along the edges of the die 53, 53 are cutting blocks pivoted at 53. near their upper, inner corners in the block 49 and adapted to perform a shearing action in co-operation. with the notches 36 of the die, progressively from the apex of each notch outward, their cutting edges slanting upward from their points and being somewhat more divergent than the 54 is a bracket proiecting from the block 49.. through which bracket is slidably mounted a stop screw 55 threaded into the cutting block 53 and a spring 56 (Fig. 3) is provided for yield.- ingly urging the block downwardly and inwardly in shearing contact with the die 35,

while the head of said screw 55 limits the movement of the block 53 in that direction to prevent the bottom of the block from coming down upon the upper face of the die.

57, 58 and 59 are fabric guiding rollers and 60 is a fabric feed roller, the latter being driven bv a chain 61 from a sprocket 62 secured upon the shaft of the cam roller G and supported at its opposite end by an idler sprocket 63, said rollers being adapted to feed the stock to the die. 64. (Figs. 1 and 4) is a fabric hold-down-plate pivoted at 64 to swing horizontally into and out of operative position and adapted to be latched in its operative position over the fabric strip adjacent the die for preventing the lifting of the Folding and pressing apparatus.

The folder B is adapted to plait the tapered units of stock to the form of a tapered boX plait and is mounted upon the die holding bridge 38. The details of the folder are shown clearly, in openposition, in Fig. 7. 66 is a lower folding trough formed upon a block 67, and 68 is an inverted folds ing trough formed upon an arm 69, pivoted to the block 67 at 70 and adapted to be thrown out of the way to the position there shown and so held by a weight 71 secured to the hinge pin of said arm, or to be turned over onto the work adjacent the lower folding trough 66 and to float thereon, rising and falling to compensate for the changing width of the fabric strip, under pressure of a weight 72 slidably mounted on a guide bar 7 3 pivoted to the lower block 67 and adapted to be swung vertically into a slot 74 formed in the end of the arm 69, with the weight 72 resting on said arm. as shown in Fig. 4. 7 5 is a pin mounted in the upper or floating folding trough and adapted to keep the edges 14, 14 of the stock strip (Fig. 4) from coming prematurely into contact or over-lapping each other.

Closely posterior to the folder the pressing device C, comprising a block 76 adjustably secured upon the standard 12 by screws 77, 77 (Fig. 4), slidably mounted in slots formed in said block. 78, 79 (Fig. 1)

are work-supporting rollers loosely-iour- The rollers 81, 82 are loosely-journaled on axles eiztending laterally i'roin blocks 83 and 8-1- respectively, said blocks being slidably mounted upon posts 85, 86 rising from the block 76, upon which posts are mounted springs 87, 88 adapted to press said rollers against the work. Said blocks are provided with handles 89 and 90 respectively for lifting them against the springs 87, 88 and turning them about the posts 85, 86 to remove the rollers 81, 82 from the work. .Dowel pins (not shown.) are provided between the blocks 83, 84: respectively and the block 76 to hold the presser rollers in alignment when in operative position. By adjusting the block 76, carrying the four presser rollers, from or toward the folder B, by means of the screws .77. 77, accurate abutment of the fabric margins be had.

llorlc-od-uancing and strap-severing mechanism.

The chain oi": strap or tab units is intermittently drawn forward by a pair of jaws 91. 92 (shown in detail in Figs. 16, 17 and 18) and during the return movement of said jaws is held against recession by a pair of jaws 93, 94- (Figs. 1, 4 and The lower jaw 93 of the latter pair is secured upon the standard 12 and the upper jaw is hinged thereto at the side of the work, its hub being formed with a projection 95 (Fig. 8)

mounted in a cam groove in the wheel G101 reciprocating said slide in the groove 103. The hubs of said jaws are formed with intermeshed gear segments (shown in Figs. 16. 17 and 18) and the hub of the upper jaw is formed with a projection 106 adapted to be engaged by a slide bolt 107 mounted in the slide 102, said slide bolt being provided with a roller 107 and actuated by can'is 108 and 109 on the wheel G to open said pair of jaws against the action of a tension spring 110 interposed between them. Pivoted concentrically with the upper jaw 92 is an arm 111 provided at its outer end with a blade 112 held yieldingly against said arm by a spring 113, said blade being thus adapted to co-operate with a shearing lip 11 1 formed'upon the lower jaw 91 to sever the work; The hubs of the upper jaw 92 and the cutter arm 111 are formed with aligned, upwardly projecting lugs 115 and 116 respectively, and 117is a compression spring interposed between said lugs. 118 is a slide bolt provided with a roller 118 adapted to be engaged by a cam 119 on the wheel to press the lug 116 and thus to actuate the cutting blade 112 and at the same time, through the compression spring 117, to cause the jaws 91, 92 to grip the work more firmly. 120 is a spring for holding the slide bolt 118 clear of the wheel Gr except when engaged by the cam 119.

Buckle-member-holder actuating mechanism.

The mechanism for intermittently turning the buckle-memberholding wheel 17 or 17 to receiving position and to threading position as above mentioned is shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 6* and comprises a pinion 121 loosely-journaled upon the rear end of the shaft 20, upon the front end of which the buckle or ladder-holding wheel is secured, said pinion being formed on the same hub with a ratchet 122 and adapted to be oscillated by a rack 123 hinged on a slide 124-, the latter being mounted upon guide bars 125, 125, and provided with a roller 126 mounted in a cam groove 127 in the rear face of the cam wheel G for actuating said ratchet. The pinion 121 lies within a counterbore 128 in the end of the bearing member 21 of the shaft 20. which bearing member is cut away at 129 to permit the rack 123 to mesh with said pinion. The ratchet 122 extends from said pinion into a. cup-shaped wheel 130 (Figs. 1 and 6) secured to the end or" the shaft 20 and provided with a spring pawl '131 for said ratchet. these parts being thus adapted to impart to the buckle wheel the two rotary movements of unequal length which together constitute one complete revolution, upon each revolution of the cam wheel G. 132 is a spring catch mounted on the bearing memher 21 and adapted yieldingly to engage notches 133, 133 in the periphery of the hollow wheel 130 to stop it accurately with the buckle-member wheel in receiving or threading position.

The grooves of the cam wheel G are provided at their salients with adjustable plates 134, 1341 for determining precisely the move ments of the parts actuated by the rollers mounted in said. grooves. The face cams 97, 98 and 119 are adjustably secured to the wheel G, 135, 135 being jacks threaded into the cam wheel and adapted to adjust the cams from and toward the face of said wheel.

Operation.

In the operation of the machine shown in Figs. 1 t018inclusive, a roll of rubberized hin a dearly aw in" Fig and power is applied through the drive pulley 16, driving the cam wheel G in the direction of the arrows in Figs. 1, 6 and 15. The buckle-member-holding wheel 17 or 17 will have been mounted upon the shaft 20. Said wheel will momentarily stop in the position shown in Fig. 9 at which time an operator inserts a buckle-member by hand.

Taking this stage of the operation as a starting point, the timing of the die-cutting, work-advancing, threading, tab-severing and tab-folding operations will become apparent from an analysis of the cam wheel (3- as shown in Fig. 15. It will assist in clarifying the analysis to remember that the cam roller 104 of the slide 102, the cam roller 107 of the work-advancing jaws 91, 92, the cam roller 96 of the work-holding jaws 93, 94, the cam roller 118 for operating the tab-severing blade 112, and the cam roller 126 of the rack 123, are all located in the same general region, at about the level of the axis of the cam wheel G, and on the same side of said axis.

The buckle-member-holding wheel remains in receiving position while the cam roller 126 of the rack 123 traverses the sec tion of its groove 127 marked a (Figs. 6 and 15), the ratchet 1222 running free of its pawl 131 while the rack 123 makes the short outward stroke; Meanwhile the jaws 91, 92- make a long forward movement of the fabric strip while their cam roller traverses the part of its groove 105 marked Z), the jaws 93, 94 being held open by the cam 97, and near the end of said movement the rack 123 makes the return stroke represented by the section 0 of the groove 127, quickly turning the holding wheel to the threading posi tion of Fig. 10 or 12, where the continued forward movement of the aws 91, 92 threads the foremost tab-unit a little way through the eye of the buckle-member, to rest there during the following, long return movement of the jaws 91, 92 represented by the section (:Z of the cam groove 105, during which return movement said jaws are held open by the cam 109, the jaws 93, 94 being closed while their roller runs free between the cams 97 and 98, to hold the work against recession, and the rack 123 remaining still while its roller traverses the section 6 of its groove 127. Then follows the outward, ineffective, movement of the said rack represented by section of the groove 127 while the work-advancing jaws 91, 92 make the short advance of the stock corresponding to section 9 of groove 105, the holding jaws 93, 94 being held open by cam 98, and at the end of said movement the cam 119 operatesto sever the strap. Thereupon the holding wheel is turned from threading position to receiving position, folding the tab upon itself and discharging the finished article, this movement being represented by section It of the cam groove 127, the jaws 91, 92 meanwhile making the return movement represented by section 2' of the cam groove 105, the holding jaws 93, 94 being closed while their roller runs free between cams 98 and 97. During this movement the die-cutter is operated by the roller 47 in the groove 48.

Thus each tab is threaded in two successive movements, whereby it is introduced to the ladder with a small amount of overhang beyond the jaws 91, 92 and therefore with out undue sagging which might defeat its accurate entry into the eye. The folding device B and the presser C of course operate progressively, during both advance movements of the work.

Modified form of machine.

In the modification shown in Figs. 19, 20 and 21, the work-advancing slide 102 is mounted on a pair of beams 13 13 one of which is shown in Fig. 19, and the other e in Fig. 20, and is actuated by a pitman 135. As the work is drawn forward from the pressor to the threading point it is supported by a bar 136 mounted on said beams, and recession of the strip is prevented by a pawl 1.37 acting against said bar.

Mounted upon the slide 102 is a bracket 138 to which is pivoted an arm 139 provided at its outer end with a pawl 140 and a knife 141, said pawl and knife being adapted to act against a plate 142 carried by the bracket 138 and sliding upon the bar 136. Said arm is provided with studs 143, 143 adapted to be engaged, as the arm 139 advances with the pawl 140 engaging the work, by overhanging blocks 144, one of which is shown in Fig. 19, to force the knife 141 against theplate 142 to sever the tab. 145 is a guide for the strap.

Mechanism for lifting the arm 139 for the return movement of the slide 102 is shown in Fig. 20 and comprises a lever 146 pivoted on one of the beams 13" and having a braked hub 147, the outer end of said lever being connected with the arm 139 b a link 148. 149 is a hand-knob mounted on the slide 102 and formed with an eccentric waist adapted contact the lever 146 near the end of the return stroke movement of the slide 102 to position said lever and thus determine when the pawl 140 shall engage the work as the braked hub 147 holds back said lever when the slide again advances. The point at which the pawl 140 will thus be brought down against the fabric may be varied by turning the hand-knob 149, varying the stopping position of the lever 146. During the advance movement of the arm 139 it is held down, with its pawl 140 in engagement with the fabric, by the resistance of the braked hub to backward movement of the lever 146.

The buckle-member-holding wheel is turned by gears 150, 151, the latter being provided with pins 152, 152 adapted to be engaged by a double-pronged hook-pawl 153 suspended from a lever 154 and adapted to be raised and lowered by a cam 155 on the slide 102 and a spring 156 acting against said cam.

The die-cutting apparatus comprises a vertically reciprocating platen 157 actuated by a pitman 158, said platen carrying the die 35, the knives 50 being mounted below, on the stationary platen 159. 160 is an inverted, spring-supported pressure foot between said knives, and 161, 161 are small tables formed with transverse grooves (not shown) mounted just outside of the knives with their sur faces approximately level with the cutting edges of the latter, their purpose being to support the margins that are trimmed from the fabric and to co-operate with ejectors 162, 162 for removing the trimmings from the machine.

Said ejectors 162, are secured to small fulcrum shafts 163, 163 mounted in tappet bars 16%, 164, the latter being slidably mounted in vertical guides formed in the platen 157 and thus adapted to be shifted in position relative to said platen by contact with the top or bottom of the die-cutter frame. 165, 165 are spring backed plungers mounted in the. platen and adapted to press outward against the ejectors 162 alternately above and below their pivotal points as the latter shift relative to the platen, to throw the ejectors out at the bottom to discharge the trimmings from the tables 161, and to return them to the position shown in Fig. 21 when the platen is lifted. The ejectors are provided with claws. 166. 166 for engaging the fabric, said claws entering the transverse grooves of the tables 161 above referred to. 167, 167 are cleaners, pivoted at the heel of each ejector, and yieldingly urged toward the position shown by springs 168, 168, said cleaners being thus adapted to be forced up alongside the foot of the ejectors as the latter are pressed against the tables 161, and to spring downward and disengage the trimmings from the claws 166 when the ejector-s are free from said tables.

This modification as shown in Fig. 19 also includes a novel form of fabric guiding device, anterior to the die-cutter, said device comprising a plate 169 mounted upon dowel pins, one of which, 170, is shown rising from a bridge 171 spanning the beams 13, said plate being adapted to bear, under pressure of a weight 172 mounted thereon, against the work to flatten and tension it. A pair of bellcrank levers, one of which is shown at 173,

are pivoted on vertical axes on said plate, their short arms being opposed to each other and pressed by a spring 174 acting against adjusting screws 175 threaded through said short arms, to impel the long arms toward each other. The outer ends of said long arms are each provided with a pin 17 6 extending downward through transverse slots formed in the plate 169 and adapted to bear against the edges of the fabric strip to guide the same by yielding pressure against its edges. By adjusting the screws 175 said pressure may be delicately adjusted. In case the fabric runs to one side or the other, the lever toward which it moves is thereby caused to sustain an increasing part of the force of the spring 174, while the other lever, being relieved of spring pressure, permits the return of the fabric to its central position. Although the width of the fabric strip may vary, the position of the middle line thereof will remain substantially constant.

Further modifications may be resorted to without departing from the scope of my invention, and I do not limit my claims wholly to the specific procedures and structures shown.

I claim: v

1. The herein-described method which comprises feeding a tab-forming strip past a receiving member. severing a tab-forn'iing length from said strip, folding said length around said member, and securing its portio-ns in folded relation. y

2. The herein-described method which comprises feeding a tab-forming strip of adhesively-coated material past a receiving member, severing a tab-forming length from said strip, folding said length around said member and sticking its portions together in folded relation.

3. The hereindescribed method which comprisesthreading the end of a strip of material through the eve of a perforate member, severing said material at a distance from said member to leave a tab in association therewith, and folding and pressing said tab upon itself.

H1. The method of assembling a tab in looped relation with an article which comprises advancing the end of a strip of adhesively-coated material past a part of said article, severing said material at a distance from said article to leave a tab in association with said article, and folding and progressively pressing and sticking said tab upon itself.

The method of forming a tab for a fastener and assembling the same therewith which comprises die-stamping a strip of rubberized fabric to form a chain of tab-units, threading the end of the foremost unit through the eye of said fastener, severing said unit from the strip, leaving it threaded Ill) Ill

in said eye, and folding and pressing said unit upon itself.

6. The following steps successively and connectedly performed upon an adhesive strip of tab-forming material and a perforate fastener, namely, folding said strip longitudinally upon itself, threading its end through the eye of the fastener, cutting off a tab length, doubling back said end and stickit to "the adjacent portion of said tab length.

7. The method of forming a strap for a perforate fastener and assembling the same therewith which comprises folding over the lateral margins of a strip of adhesive fabric, progressively pressing the strip to secure said margins in folded condition, and simultaneously with the folding and pressing of part of said strip, threading the folded end of said strip through the eye of said fastener.

fastener and assembling the same therewith which comprises die-stamping a strip of.

rubberized fabric to form a chain of tabv units, folding the lateral margins of each unit approximately to its middle line, press-- ing the successive folded. units to secure said margins in folded relation, threading the end of the foremost unit through the eye of a fastener and severing said unit from the strip, leaving it threaded in said eye, and folding and pressing said unit upon itself.

9. The method of forming a strap which comprises folding the lateralmargins of a strip of adhesively-coated material approximately to its middle line, progressively pressing said margins against the middle part only of said strip, and thereafter pressing the entire folded strip.

10. The method of forming a tab for a fastener and assembling the same therewith which comprises folding the lateral margins of a strip of rubberized fabric approximately to its middle line, progressively pressing said HIZLIKUTDS against the middle part only of id strip and thereafter pressing the entire folded strip, threading the end of said strip through the eye of said fastener, severing the strip at a distance from said eye to leave a tab in threaded relation with said eye, and folding and pressing said tab upon itself. I

11. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for presenting an article to be associated with a strap, means for feeding a strap into association with said article, and means for folding said strap in looped cngagen'ient with said article.

12. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for presenting an article to be associated with a strap, means for feeding a strap into association with said article, and means for drawing said article aside from the line of movement of said strap to fold said strap in looped engagement with said article.

18. Apparatus of the class described coinprising means for presenting an article to be associated with a strap, means for feeding a strap into association with. said article, and means for severing said strap, leaving a cart thereof in association with said article.

A. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for feeding a tab-forming strip past a receiving member, means for severing a tab-forming length from said strip, and means for folding said length around said member and securing its portions in folded relation.

15. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for intermittently advancing a strip of material and cutting therefron'i a tab-forming unit, means for holding an article in position to receive said strip as the latter is advanced, and means for folding said unit in looped engagement with said article.

16. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for feeding a tab-forming strip past a receiving. member, means for severing a tab-forming length from said length therefrom, and means for presenting an article in position to' receive said strip as it is advanced.

19. Apparatus of the class described coinprising means for longitudinally folding a strip of material, means for initially pressing only the parts of said folded strip remote from the line or lines of fold, and means for subsequently pressing the entire width of the strip.

20. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for longitudinally folding a strip of material,means for initially pressing only the parts thereof remote from the line or lines of fold, and means for advancing said strip and severing a length therefrom.

21. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for longitudinally folding a strip of material upon itself, means for initially pressing a part of said folded strip without pressing the line or lines of fold, means for intermittently advancing said strip and severing a length therefrom, and means for presenting an article in position to receive said strip as it is advanced.

22. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for longitudinally folding a strip of material upon itself, means for initially pressing only the parts of said folded strip remote from the line or lines of fold, means for subsequently pressing the full Width of the folded strip, means for intermittently advancing said strip and severing a length therefrom, and means for presenting an article in position to receive said strip as it is advanced.

23. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for longitudinally folding a strip of material, means for initially pressing a part thereof Without pressing the line or lines of fold, means for intermittently advancing said strip and cutting a length therefrom, means for presenting an article in position to receive said strip as it is advanced, and means for folding said severed length in looped engagement with said article.

24. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of sheet material to form a string of units, means for intermittently advancing said string and severing the foremost unit therefrom, and means for attaching the successive severed units to successive articles.

25. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a string of units, means for intermittently advancing said string and severing the foremost unit therefrom, and means for presenting an article in position to be threaded by said unit. I

26. Apparatus of the class describedcomprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a string of units, means for folding over a lateral margin of each unit, means for initially pressing said margin Without pressing the line of fold, and means for subsequently pressing the line of fold.

27. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a string of units, means for folding each uuitlengthwise of said strip, means for pressing a part of said folded strip Without pressing the line of fold, and means for advancing said strip and severing the foremost unit therefrom.

28. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a string of units, means for folding over a lateral margin of said strip onto the body thereof, means for initially pressing a part of said margin Without pressing the line of fold, means for advancing said strip and severing the foremost unit therefrom, and means for holding an article in position to be threaded by said strip.

29. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a string of units, means for folding over a lateral margin of said strip onto the body thereof, means for initially pressing a part of said margin Without pressing the line of fold, means for advancing said strip and severing the foremost unit therefrom, means for holding an article in position to be threaded by saidstrip, and means for folding said unit upon itself in looped engagement with said article.

30. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a string of units, means for folding the lateral margins of each unit approximately to the middle line of said strip, means for initially pressing the middle part only of said folded strip, means for subsequently pressing the entire Width of said strip, means for intermittently advancing said strip past an article and severing the foremost unit therefrom, and means for folding said severed unit in looped engage ment with said article.

31. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a. string of tapered units, means for folding the lateral margins of each unit approximately to the middle line of said strip to produce a plaited unit of tapered form, means for initially pressing the middle part only of said folded strip. and means for subsequently pressing the entire width. of said strip.

32. Apparatus of the class described comprising a holder adapted to' seat an article. and a presser member adapted to co-operate with said holder to loop a strap about a part of said article.

33. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotary member adapted to seat an eye-formed article with the eye thereof exposed, and a roller adapted to run upon said rotary member to fold upon itself a strap threaded through the eye of said article.

34. l ipparatus of the class ilescribcd cont prising a pivoted member adapted to seat an article, and a member ada jited vieldirwl; to bear against said pivoted member to dislodge said article from its seat and to fold upon itself a strap engi a. part of said article.

35. Apparatus of the class described com prising a pivoted member adapted to seat an article, and a presser member adapted to bear against said article to hold it in its seat and subsequently to dislodge said article from its seat and to bear progressivelr against said pivoted member as the latter is turned to fold upon itself a strap looped about a part of said article.

36. Apparatus of the class described comprising a Wheel segment adapted to seat an article, and a presser member provided with a flat Working surface and a roller adapted Ion lll)

one of said positions.

38. Apparatus of the class described comprising a pivoted member formed with a recess adapted to seat an article, a presser member co-acting with said pivoted member to dislodge said article from said recess and to fold a strap in looped engagement with said article, and means on said pivoted member for causing said article to move with the periphery of said pivoted member after said article has been dislodged from its recess.

39. Apparatus of the class described cone prising a rotary member adapted to sent an article, a latch adapted to hold said article in its seat, and a presser member adapted to co-operate with said rotary member to fold upon itself a strap in looped engagement with said article.

. 40. Apparatus of the class described comprising a wheel segment formed with cess in its nonarcuate side and adapted to seat an article formed with an eye. latch adapted to hold said article in said recess with the eye thereof exposed, and means for folding upon itself a strap threaded through the eye of said article.

41,. Apparatus of the class described comprising a member formed with a recess adapted to seat an article, a latch pivoted in said member, and a spring adapted to impel said latch about its pivot.

42. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotary member formed with a recess adapted to seat an article, a latch pivoted in said rotary member and adapted to engage said article, a spring adapted to urge said latch in one direction about its pivot, and a stop limiting its movement in the o1 posit'e direction.

43. Apparatus of the class described comprising a member adapted to seatan article, and a. presser associated with said member, said presser comprising a member formed with a nonrotatin, working surface and having a presser roller.

44. Apparatus of the class described com prising a rotary member adapted to carry an article, and a presser associated with said rotary member, said presser comprising a lever with a non-rotating working surface and a roller journaled upon said lever.

45. Apparatus of the class described comprising a member adapted to present an article to be threaded, means for feeding a strap into threadedrelation with said article, and a roller adapted to run upon said memher to fold said strap in looped engagement with said article.

46. Apparatus of the class described comprising a pivoted member adapted to present an article to be threaded, means for feeding a strap into threaded relation with said article, and a presser member adapted to bear against said pivoted member to fold said strap about a part of said article.

47. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotary member adapted to carry an article formed with an eye, with the eye of said article exposed, means for threading a strap through the eye of said article, and means co-acting with said rotary member to fold said strap upon itself in linked relation with the eye of said article.

48. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotary member adapted to seat an eye-formed article with the eye thereof ex posed, means for threading a strip of material through said eye, and a presser member adapted to bear successively upon said article and said strip as said rotary member is turned to disengage said article from its seat and to fold said strip of material upon itself.

49. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotary article-seating member having strap-receiving and work-ejecting positions, means for intermittently turning said member successively to said positions, and means for feeding a strap into threaded relation with said article in the receiving position of said member.

50. Apparatus of the class described cornprising a rotary member adapted to seat an article to be threaded, means'for intermittently turning said member to pre-determined rotary positions, means for feeding a strap into threaded relation with said article, and a. presser. member associated with said rotary member and adapted to fold said strap upon itself in linked relation to said article as the rotary member is turned.

51. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotary member adapted to present an article to be threaded, means for advancing a strip of material into threaded relation with said article and severing a length therefrom, and means coacting with said rotary member to fold the severed part of said strip upon itself in linked relation with said article. i

52. Apparatus of the class describedeomprising means for presenting an article to receive a strip ofmaterial, mechanism for moving said means into and out of presenting, position, a slide, and strip advancing and cutting means mounted on said slide.

53. Apparatus of the class described comprising a die-cutting mechanism adapted to cut a strip of material to form a string of units, means for advancing said string and severing the foremost unit therefrom, a

. rotary member adapted to present an article to receive said unit, and means for intermittently turning said rotary member to predetermined rotary positions.

54. Apparatus of the class described comprising a pair of reciprocating jaws adapted to advance a strip of material, a cutting blade adapted to co-operate in shearing relation with one of said jaws to sever successive links from said strip, and means for attaching successive severed lengths to suecessive articles.

Apparatus of the class described comprising means for permitting the advance and preventing the recession of a strip of material, a feeder slide adapted for reciproeating movement in the direction of said strip, a pair of aws mounted on said slide and adapted periodically to grip and advance the work, a cutter adapted to sever a unit from said strip, and means for holding an article in position to receive said unit.

56. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for permitting the advance and preventing the recession of a strip of material, means for intermittently advancing said strip, a rotary member adapted to hold an article in position to receive said strip as the latter is advanced, means for severing a length from said strip, and a roller adapted to run upon said rotary memher to fold said length upon itself in looped engagement with said article.

57. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for supplying a tab-forming strip. of material wider at its posterior than at its anterior end, folding means for said strip including a floating element adapted to compensate for the increased posterior width as the strip is advanced therethrough, and means for drawing said strip through said folding means and feeding it into as sociation with an article.

58. Apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary folding trough, an inverted', floating, folding trough associated therewith, means for drawing a piece of material through said folding troughs to fold it obliquely, and means for attaching the folded piece, as a tab, to an article.

59. Apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary folding trough, an inverted, floating, folding trough associated therewith, means associated with one of said troughs-for holding apart the edges of the work, means for drawing a fabric unit through said folding troughs to; fold it obliquely, and means for attaching said obliquely folded unit, as a tab, to an article.

60. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a string of units, a stationary folding trough, and a floating, folding trough superimposed thereon.

61. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a string of tapered units, a stationary folding trough, a floating, folding trough superimposed thereon, one of said troughs being provided with a stud adapted to hold apart the edges of the work.

62. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for cutting a strip of material to form a string of tapered units, a folding trough adapted to fold the respective marfold, and a presser roller adapted to press only the middle part of the work.

63. In apparatus of the class described a die-cutting mechanism comprising a dieplate, a set of knives mounted in non-parallel relation with the edges of said plate, and means for yieldingly holding said knives toward said plate in shearing relation therewith. j

64:. In apparatus of the class described a die-cutting mechanism comprising a dieplate formed with a notch, a cutting block formed with cutting edges more divergent than the sides of said notch, and means for yieldingly holding said block in shearing relation with said notch.

65. In apparatus of the class described a die-cutting mechanism comprising a die-plate formed with a notch, a cutting block formed with cutting edges more divergent than the sides of said notch, means for yieldingly holding said block toward the apex of said notch, and adjustable means for limiting the movement of said block in that direction.

66. In apparatus of the class described a die-cutting mechanism comprising a dieplate formed substantially with an angle in its cutting outline, and separate shearing members adapted to co-operate with respective parts of the edge of said plate, said members being yieldingly held against said edge and adapted to perform a progressive shearing action in co-operation therewith.

67. In apparatus of the class described the combination of means for holding an article in a predetermined position, means for advancing a strip of material and associating it with said article, acutter adaptedto out said strip to form a string of units, and means for adjusting said cutter from or toward the first mentioned means.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 1th day of June, 1921.

FRANK (I. MACDONALD. 

